Toyota

Toyota Motor Corporation is a multinational automaker headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. The company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937.

 

Interesting facts about Toyota

 

• Today there are more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the United States.
• In 2010, the Toyota ranked first in units produced globally, with 8.6 million units.
• In 2010, Toyota employed 317,734 people worldwide.
• In 2010 Toyota was the world’s largest automobile manufacturer by production.
• Toyota annual sales jumped by more than 500,000 to 8.5 million vehicles in the 2007.
• Toyota received its first Japanese Quality Control Award at the start of the 1980s.
• In the 1990s, Toyota began to branch out from producing mostly compact cars by adding many larger and more luxurious vehicles to its production.

 

There are a wide variety of Toyota models available. Models include everything from family cars to fast 2 seater sports cars.

Mini Cooper

The Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation. The vehicle is in some ways considered the British equivalent to its German contemporary the Volkswagen Beetle. In 1999 the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th century.

The Mini was recently revived with it contemporary model the Mini Cooper.

 

Mini Facts

 

• The Mini Cooper is owned by BMW.
• The vehicle is offered in a hatchback, convertible and the Clubman.
• The base Mini Cooper measures 145.6 inches in length with a 97.1-inch wheelbase.
• It is powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 118 horsepower.
• The new version is bigger, more powerful and employs more safety features.

Buying a second hand car

One should be very careful when buying a second hand car; you just never know what you’re getting. Some can be asked over the phone or via email before even seeing the vehicle in person. Others should be asked while looking at the used car.

Questions to ask in advance

1. How many miles are on the odometer?
2. Why are you selling the car?
3. How would you describe your used car’s condition?

Questions to ask while looking at the car

1. Who was this vehicle bought from?
2. Where was this car bought?
3. What kind of oil do you use in the car?
4. What are you willing to sell the car for?
5. How long of a test drive can I take?

Questions to ask after the test drive

1. Are you willing to let me get this inspected independently?
2. What’s the last used car you sold?

Save on petrol

Tires

Did you know that a flat increase your fuel consumption? Driving with soft tyres can add up to 2% to your fuel bills. So keep your tyres inflated to the correct level and save.

Air conditioning

Air conditioning uses up to 25% more fuel. Switch it off and open your air vents instead, or just have the window down.

Service your car

Inefficient, under-serviced engines can reduce fuel economy by 10% or more. Similarly, have the oil in your car changed regularly. Having clean oil reduces the wear and tear on the engine.

A light load

The lighter the car is the less petrol needed to move it. Remove roof racks, carriers and removable seats when they are not in use. Also keep the boot empty as often as possible.

Avoid traffic

Obviously, where possible. Small cars stuck in traffic jams use up a litre of petrol every 60 minutes.

How to change a tire

Have you ever gotten stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire? Luckily changing the tire is a pretty simple task. Change your tire in these easy 14 steps.

 

A new tire in 13 steps

1. Find a flat, stable and safe place to change your tire.
2. Apply the parking brake and put car into “Park” position.
3. Place a heavy object in front of the front and back tires.
4. Take out the spare tire and the jack.
5. Raise the jack until it is supporting (but not lifting) the car.
6. Remove the hub cap and loosen the nuts by turning counter clockwise.
7. Pump or crank the jack to lift the tire off the ground. Remove the nuts the rest of the way.
8. Remove the tire.
9. Place the spare tire on the hub.
10. Tighten the nuts by hand until they are all snug.
11. Lower the car without applying full weight on the tire.
12. Lower the car to the ground fully and remove the jack.
13. Put the old tire in your trunk and take it to a mechanic.